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Robert Theobold, ombudsman for the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), shared with the Navajo County Community College District Governing Board about new business opportunities coming to the rural Arizona communities as the result of a recent partnership with the Small Business Association (SBA) at the board’s June 18 meeting.
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“We want Arizona to be the best for business, not just in the two big counties, but in the whole state,” said Theobold.
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With a five year goal to create 80,000 new jobs as well as grow entrepreneur vitality and increase exports, the ACA is now teaming with the SBA to provide more education on things like: tax credits offered by the state; databases where communities can list their assets, including vacant buildings that might spark a business deal; and the Arizona film database along with a wealth of other information on their website at: www.azcommerce.com/small-business.
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Theobold noted some of the recent key results of the ACA, which is public-private organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. “Since 2011 we have worked on 705 projects, created over 120,000 new jobs with over $13 billion in capital investments and an economic output of $164 billion.”
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In comparison, through efforts by the ACA, rural Arizona saw the creation of 7,500 jobs and over $2 billion in capital investments.
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“Governor Ducey is very pro-business and working to increase the business climate in Arizona,” continued Theobold. “Our university and college programs in the state are definitely making an impact to the point that Arizona State University has been named the most innovative university in the nation four years in a row. If you think about it, that beats MIT and Stanford.”
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Tracy Mancuso, the Small Business Development Center director with Northland Pioneer College (NPC), said, “We are excited about the partnership with Arizona Commerce Authority, which has come about after many years of discussion.
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“Why is this important?” asked Mancuso. “Because our small businesses create about 95 percent of the jobs in Navajo County. We see that entrepreneurship is a way for people to make money outside of the traditional college trades.”
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Currently, the NPC Small Business Development Center offers individual guidance, educational programs and resources to help both prospective entrepreneurs and existing business owners be successful. All services are provided at no-cost and all information is held in the strictest of confidence.
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Some of the benefits in working with the Development Center include: objective feedback and advice; saving time and avoiding errors; connecting with critical resources, highly qualified professionals and business organizations; optimizing business finances; and it’s free, confidential, with no obligation.
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For more information about NPC Small Business Development Center or to set an appointment, call (928) 532-6170.
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